Normandie Alleman is On the Bench.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing a virgin – I mean debut author 😉 Please welcome Total E Bound author Normandie Alleman to my blog. Her first book Venetian Love Knots releases this week at all the usual places – and she is another sports fan…got to love that! You must read her interview questions because I can tell you Normandie certainly has her hands full and I take back that whole virgin remark 😉

So tell us a bit about Normandie.

A former psychologist, Normandie has always been fascinated by human behavior. She loves writing quirky characters that are all too human. “I’m interested in the kind of relationships people have in real life. So I write about my characters’ messy, unpredictable, and inexplicable journeys to love.”

If there were another 5 hours in the day, Normandie would spend more time needle-pointing and playing with photography. Instead, she’s a Pinterest addict and sports junkie who’s crazy for Twitter and the color pink.

The Blurb:

Travelling to Venice to be the maid of honour in her best friend’s wedding sounds like a great vacation, and a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day. But when Allison Fox discovers who the best man is, she is torn between duty and self-preservation.

It has taken Allison four years to put her tumultuous relationship with the rodeo cowboy behind her. A violent incident ripped them apart. Now Allison must find a way to face her past and find closure with her old flame. But will she be able to put the past behind her?

Cole is the Texas cowboy has never got over his love for Allison. But when he declares his love for her after all this time, is she strong enough to walk away from the intense passion they share?

For years Nico, a handsome Italian, was committed to nothing but his work. Nico never expected he would meet an American beauty who would awaken in him a desire to love again. Once he finds her, Nico vows to never let Allison go.

It will be a Valentine’s Day to remember, but who will win Allison’s heart?

Excerpt from Venetian Love Knots:

Looking around, Allison was expecting to see another kindly Italian lady, like the sweet one she had met on the plane earlier. She did a stutter step when she saw the man holding the sign that had ‘Allison Fox’ scribbled on it.

Nothing could have prepared her for the tall, handsome man in his exquisite Italian suit, searching the crowd with those piercing dark eyes. She saw him first, but when their gazes met the rest of the world seemed to melt away. He was so handsome, she was drawn to him immediately. She couldn’t quite believe this Adonis with the chiselled good looks was the person who was supposed to be retrieving her.

“Hi, I’m Allison Fox,” she said shyly.

“Oh, so you are Allison then?” The big man grinned happily, giving her a once-over. Judging by his smile, he seemed to like what he saw.

“Yes,” She hesitated, thinking that she probably shouldn’t just go off with a stranger, even if he was a good-looking one…

“I am Nico,” he said. “Nico Vitallini. Alfonso’s cousin. They sent me to pick you up. You are to be Marcia’s maid of honour, in the wedding, no?”

“Yes, I am.” Allison smiled. It was hard not to smile at him. The way he looked at her made her feel as though she was the only person in the entire airport. Her heart beat faster than usual. Were those butterflies in her stomach? Or was she just hungry?

“Come this way and we will collect your luggage. Here, please allow me to carry that for you.” He took her heavy carry-on bag from her hand in one graceful movement. The bag had been weighing her down, yet Nico tossed it around effortlessly. Allison bit back a smile.

I don’t know. It was a long process… with many emotional ups and downs. The way this book finally found it’s home is such a long story. It would take pages to tell it. Let’s just say that it involved getting lost in cyberspace, then getting lost in a spam folder, a couple of minor plot changing rewrites, and more. In the end, I was happy to get the contract, but there were so many false starts – I didn’t get the chance to have an initial reaction.

Are you a disciplined writer or do you have to wait for the muse to arrive? Do you have a ritual that gets you in the mood?

I’m not good with self-discipline, but I am driven so I make things happen. With six kids I have to make time to write whenever I can – at the ball fields, in the car waiting on them at the paediatrician, wherever. But I love to snuggle up in my bed with my puppy and write when they’re at school. *D – SIX!!!! How do you find time to do anything?

What was the last book you read?

Lady of the Rivers by Phillipa Gregory

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a filthy novel about a socialite divorce who discovers the world of BDSM and finds a creative Dom who pushes her limits in a very public way. Writing this one has me blushing, and I’ve never done that before.

What genre would you like to try and write that is different from your own?

I have a WIP that’s what I’d call general fiction. There’s a romance, but there are other characters that are important and other relevant storylines outside the romance that really take it outside the “romance genre”. There’s also the HEA thing. I love tragedies, have always been drawn to them. So, what am I doing in the erotic romance genre, right? Haha! (Whispers) – it’s the sex.

When you receive edits are you Teary and Disillusioned or Feisty and Focussed?

When I received my very first ones I was teary and disillusioned. My editor sent them to me then was out of town for a week so I couldn’t discuss them with her. I stewed in all my self-doubt all week. I was a neurotic mess. When she came back and we talked, I calmed down and fixed everything. I think the first time was the hardest. I learned so much with each round, and fortunately I’m a quick study so that helps.

What is the one thing in your books you’d like to try?

I’m hoping to tackle historical fiction. In fact I have a historical planned for later this year. I read a ton of it, I’m ready to jump in!

Now for some hard hitters with an Aussie flavour!

A sport /sportsperson that you watch? (C’mon there must be one) OR An embarrassing sporting memory.

We are a big sports bunch at our house. Right now we have girls’ softball starting up, boys’ basketball ending, and my husband’s semi-professional (American) football league kicking off this weekend. In fact, I had a difficult decision of whose game to go watch this Saturday – husband’s first football game or son’s basketball tournament? I’m choosing my son’s. His team was 10-0 in the regular season. No way I’m missing his undefeated team play. Plus hubby will understand if I miss his game. Kiddo might not. *D – My idea of heaven Normandie, so many choices.

Favourite Aussie Author/Actor /Musician?

Russell Crowe

Your view on Vegemite?

Don’t know much about it, but it makes me think of that Men at Work song. Damn, I just aged myself AND showed my ignorance in one fell swoop. *D – Grrr! That song just won’t go away….

Formal dinner party or backyard barbeque?

I’m somewhere in the middle. I don’t really want to have to wear panty hose and heels, but I don’t really want to be outside with bugs either. So, I guess I’m sayin’ I’m high maintenance.

Adventure holiday or relaxing by the pool?

Oh, relaxing by the pool all the way. *D- just as long as you have the bug spray 😉

Favourite Aussie holiday place or one you’ve always wanted to visit?

Wherever they have those adorable koala bears! And maybe a lovely beach as well… *D – this is especially for you Normandie…What do you call a foursome?

Thank you for visiting today Normandie, good luck with your new release, I wish you many sales and great reviews. Good luck also to the sporty children and husband. You will have to let me know how the weekend sporting feast went.

Great Interview, ladies.
Ahhh, self-doubt. It is my middle name these days.
I’m sorry that the road to your first contract was a rocky one, but I wish you many sales on the rest of your journey.
Congratulations on your debut release, Normandie.
Cheers!
H K (Cover love) 😀

Thanks everyone, and especially Donna for the generous invitation to host me on her blog. And how did you know? I’ve been away at two nail-biter games! And running around with the little ones, not checking my email until this morning. Sigh. Oh well, at least they won. 🙂